meekness

/'mi:knis/

Thân thiện

A child shows meekness by quietly waiting for their turn.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The quality or state of being meek: A disposition characterized by patience, gentleness, and a lack of pride or aggression. It implies a quiet, submissive, and humble nature, often involving a willingness to endure hardship without resentment.
   • The feeling of patient, submissive humbleness: An internal state of humility and deference, often in the face of provocation or authority.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Her meekness was mistaken for weakness by those who did not know her inner strength.
  • The monk's meekness was evident in his quiet acceptance of every circumstance.
  • He answered the accusations with surprising meekness, refusing to raise his voice.

Advanced Usage

• "With meekness of spirit": Describes an action performed in a humble and gentle manner.

  • She accepted the criticism with meekness of spirit, eager to learn from it.

• "The virtue of meekness": Often discussed in religious or philosophical contexts as a positive moral quality, distinct from being spineless.

  • The sermon focused on the virtue of meekness as a source of true power.

Variants and Related Words

• Meek (adj): Having or showing a quiet and gentle nature; not forceful or proud.
  • He was a meek man who avoided conflict.

Synonyms

• Humility: A modest or low view of one's own importance.
• Gentleness: The quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered.
• Submissiveness: The quality of being willing to yield to the authority of others.
• Docility: The trait of being teachable or easy to manage.

Antonyms

• Arrogance: An attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner.
• Assertiveness: Confident and forceful behavior.
• Pride: A feeling of deep pleasure derived from one's own achievements; a high opinion of oneself.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "The meek shall inherit the earth": A proverbial saying (from the Bible) suggesting that humble, gentle people will ultimately be rewarded or succeed.
  • He lived by the principle that the meek shall inherit the earth.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a disposition to be patient and long suffering
2. the feeling of patient, submissive humbleness

Từ đồng nghĩa

• subduedness
• submission